John Day, Ore. – A community meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, August 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Grant Union High School’s old gym.
This fire continues to challenge firefighters due to the extremely dry conditions, rugged terrain and afternoon winds. The Canyon Creek Complex has now burned 40,100 acres. Additional firefighting resources continue to arrive from around the state and country. More than 300 firefighters are currently assigned and more are anticipated to arrive to assist with the Canyon Creek Complex.
Yesterday air tankers and helicopters supported hand crews as they worked digging fireline in terrain too rugged for bulldozers. Late in the afternoon air tankers were diverted to a new fire that was burning nearby, however helicopters continued fight the fire.
Structural firefighters worked to protect homes and to determine the number of houses lost to the fire during the extreme wind event that occurred on Aug. 14.. Fire activity increased on the southern portion of the fire, near Dry Soda Lookout. Firefighters worked through the night to protect houses and to reinforce fireline.
Today, the fire managers expect weather similar to yesterday, however the possibility of unpredictable winds exists. Firefighters continue working to improve total fire containment and line strengthening in the North. Today we will have a special focus with new resources on the South flank where activity is increasing.
Firefighting aircraft will be used aggressively to keep this fire in check, however those resources can be diverted to new fires at a moments notice.
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